Breaking down the South Dakota Prep Media football poll for the week of Sept. 6

Sep. 6—MITCHELL — The South Dakota Prep Media football polls for the week of Sept. 6 are listed below, ranking the top-five teams in each class. First-place votes received are indicated in parentheses.

1. Jefferson (19) 2-0, 111; 2. O'Gorman (3) 2-0, 92; 3. Lincoln (1) 2-0, 72; 4. Stevens 2-0, 34; 5. Harrisburg 1-1, 31

Harrisburg back in the top five: After starting as the preseason No. 3 team in Class 11AAA, Harrisburg dropped out of the top five last week following a loss to Jefferson to open the season, but the Tigers jumped back this week as the No. 5 team. Stevens moved from No. 5 to No. 4, while Brandon Valley dropped out.

Other receiving votes: Brandon Valley 5

1. Pierre (23) 2-0, 115; 2. Tea Area 2-0 88; 3. Yankton 2-0, 73; 4. Brookings 1-1, 37; 5. Mitchell 1-1, 25

Stable top four: The top four teams in 11AA haven't moved in the first four polls of the season, but Mitchell climbed back into the top five after taking down Sturgis 36-22 in the Kernel Bowl. Sturgis had jumped Mitchell last week to get into the rankings.

Others receiving votes: Sturgis 6, Watertown 1

1. West Central (16) 2-0, 107; 2. Dell Rapids (7) 2-0, 99; 3. Dakota Valley 2-0, 49; 4. Beresford 2-0, 43; 5. Madison 1-1, 19

Tight at the top: Only eight points seperated West Central and Dell Rapids, marking the closest gap between No. 1 and No. 2 team in any class in the state. Beresford also joined the fold this week, jumping to No. 4 after receiving votes last week, while Dakota Valley moved from No. 3 to No. 4 and Canton dropped out after a 7-6 loss to the Watchdogs.

Others receiving votes: Lennox 16, Canton 12

1. Winner (23) 3-0, 115; 2. Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan 3-0, 86; 3. Elk Point-Jefferson 3-0, 75; 4. St. Thomas More 2-0, 33; 5. Mount Vernon/Plankinton 3-0, 15

Movement near the bottom: With the top three spots identical from a week ago, there was a bit of action at the fourth and fifth spots in Class 11B. St. Thomas More moved up one spot from No. 4 to No. 5, while Mount Vernon/Plankinton jumped into the top five for the first time this season, replacing Sioux Valley, which was blanked by Elk Point-Jefferson by a 50-0 score.

Others receiving votes: Aberdeen Roncalli 11, Sioux Valley 6, McCook Central/Montrose 4

1. Howard (22) 3-0, 114; 2. Wall (1) 3-0, 90; 3. Hamlin 3-0, 55; 4. Parkston 3-0, 49; 5. Hanson 2-1, 31

Much of the same: Class 9AA was the only class across the state with no change in the top five from the week before. This week, Wall received a first-place vote and Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy received votes for the first time.

Others receiving votes: Viborg/Hurley 4, Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy 2

1. Gregory (18) 2-0, 109; 2. Warner (2) 3-0, 87; 3. Castlewood (1) 2-0, 67; 4. Canistota (2) 1-2, 38; 5. Lyman 3-0, 31

Changes in 9A: Not only did Class 9A see the most movement in the polls this week, it also is the only class in the state with four teams to receive a first-place vote. Canistota dropped from first to fourth with its second loss of the season, while Gregory jumped to No. 1 after a win over Platte-Geddes. Warner moved up a spot to No. 2, as did Castlewood, who moved to No. 3. With Chester Area dropping out, Lyman jumped into the rankings, too, after receiving votes last week. Class 9A also has the most teams receiving votes in the state with five.

Others receiving votes: Deubrook Area 4, Harding County/Bison 4, Chester Area 3, Alcester-Hudson 1, Wolsey-Wessington 1

1. Herreid/Selby Area (23) 2-0, 115; 2. Hitchcock-Tulare 3-0, 87; 3. De Smet 2-1, 53; 4. Avon 2-1, 43; 5. Sully Buttes 3-0, 39

Big jumps and slides: De Smet's 52-8 win over Dell Rapids St. Mary helped jump the Bulldogs from No. 5 last to No. 3 this week, while Avon's loss to FMFA dropped the Pirates from No. 2 to No. 4. Dell Rapids St. Mary's dropped out with the loss, falling from No. 4 after starting the season at No. 1, which allowed Sully Buttes to climb to the No. 5 spot.

Others receiving votes: Kadoka Area 5, Dell Rapids St. Mary 3